‘Stress’ is a word that’s unfortunately thrown around too loosely these days. The common narrative that emphasizes how “everyone has stress” is inaccurate and dismissive. In honor of National Women’s Health Week, we’re spotlighting how stress manifests physically, specifically in the vagina, and what you can do about it.
Studies show that 77 percent of people experience stress that affects their physical health. It might show up as a new lack of energy, increased headaches, muscle tension, indigestion, chest pain, insomnia, weakened immune system, nervous shakes, cottonmouth, and teeth grinding. Yikes. Can you even imagine what it might do to the vagina?
The ways in which stress manifests in the vagina can easily go unnoticed if you don’t monitor them closely. So what should you be on the lookout for?
1. Tight pelvic floor
How would you know if you’re carrying stress in your pelvic floor?
Do you:
- Have constipation or feel the need to strain when going 💩?
- Feel like you have to pee frequently?
- Have urine leakage?
- Notice an increased amount of vaginal discharge?
- Notice a loss or decrease in your libido?
- Feel pain during sex or when using tampons?
2. Infections
To function properly, the vagina needs to maintain a healthy pH balance; AKA a specific ratio of good and bad bacteria.
When you’re stressed, your immune system’s defenses are down. This basically means the floodgates are open for bad bacteria to infiltrate the good (hence the wacky pH levels), causing a heightened susceptibility to risk of infection. Most commonly, these will include yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis (BV).
If you have BV, according to the CDC, you might be experiencing:
- A thin, white, or gray vaginal discharge
- Pain, itching, or burning in/around your vagina, or when you go pee
- A strong, fishy odor (that amplifies after sex)
3. Imbalanced hormones
When your vaginal pH is imbalanced for a sustained period of time due to stress, you’ll know.
Your PMS symptoms, such as bloating, cramps, mood swings, and fatigue may worsen. Maybe you notice unusual hair growth or loss, heart palpitations, or difficulty concentrating. Neglected hormone imbalance can also cause fertility complications, weight fluctuation, and insomnia.
Unfortunately, there’s no ‘cure’ for stress. Having to manage it is inevitable. Although, we do have to accept that it, to some degree, will always be there; solutions do exist to help alleviate the stress evidencing in your vag. Lucky for you, that’s kind of our expertise. 😉
CBD has been proven wildly effective in regulating female hormone imbalance by facilitating the release of cortisol — your body’s primary stress hormone.
The Ladykind brand is built on our integrity and commitment to using only the cleanest, safest, highest quality ingredients. Our tinctures are fueled by sustainably sourced, premium broad-spectrum CBD, CBN and CBG cannabinoids, vitamin B5, maca root, and valerian root. If your preference is topical (apply on the skin) versus or in addition to sublinguals (liquid held under the tongue for 60 seconds), our Tough Love Period Pain Relief Cream works *wonders*. All of these premier blends are formulated at our in-house lab and are always both tested and verified by a third-party vendor.
Designed to address the harmful effects of female reproductive-related hormone imbalance by literally helping your body to release stress (thank you, CBD!), these products offer a safe and effective remedy to the physical manifestation of stress in the vagina. Visit our website to read the testimonials for yourself!
Disclaimer: it’s important to recognize when the symptoms of stress have become a routine distraction. If you’ve attempted to self-manage via regular exercise, meditation/relaxation, quality time with your support system, and hobbies that make you feel happy and are still inhibited, we recommend you consult with your doctor ASAP.
Nani Dominguez
Nani is a writer, co-host of TFAW Project and Tsismis with Jen & Nani podcast shows, and communications consultant residing in Oakland, California. Visit notesbynani.com to learn more.
